I Want to Believe that the New Times are Also the Times of the Renaissance of Yerevan State University

The Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended the ceremonial event dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Yerevan State University at the Alexander Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet National Academic Theater.

In his speech, Prime Minister Pashinyan noted: "Esteemed professors, graduates, and beloved students of Yerevan State University, Distinguished Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, respected Government members, Members of Parliament,

On May 16, 1919, the Armenian government adopted the decision to establish a state university in Armenia, which became one of the most significant events in the life of our short-lived first republic, immensely impacting the future existence of our people.

The fact that the university was created with a faculty of history shows the practical and state significance that this educational and scientific institution was to have in our lives. Essentially, the task was to articulate our new state identity because, after centuries of hiatus, we were becoming a state nation, a state people, and it was essential to define our new identity in new conditions while also studying and categorizing our heritage. This task was successfully solved by Yerevan State University, which articulated the most critical values of our past and ongoing history and laid them at the foundation of our new state identity.

When we list the names that have been associated with Yerevan State University or, more accurately, the names that this university has molded, its history becomes more valuable for our reality: Hakob Manandyan, Stepanos Malkhasyants, Manuk Abeghyan, Grigor Ghapantsyan, and so on. Yerevan State University ultimately regulated our cultural heritage, which also needed to be foundational to our new state identity. The result of all this was vividly demonstrated in 1965 through our national revival, which later became a basis and cause for a new cultural renaissance.

As a result of all this, in 1988, our people experienced a new rebirth, whereby they, as a new heir, had to take responsibility for their new state identity. The Yerevan State University indeed played a fundamental and pivotal role in the history of the 20th century.

Of course, the new conditions brought shocks to all sectors of our society. It has already been mentioned: we survived an earthquake, we endured a war, we faced the necessity of establishing a new state, and amidst all this, we experienced numerous losses and many achievements; yet, overall, we can say that we encountered more challenges in the educational system than we could solve.

However, I want to believe that the new times are also the times of the renaissance of Yerevan State University because, as it has been, Yerevan State University must continue to remain the main place and platform for the generation of thoughts and ideas in Armenia. In new times, freedom, creativity, justice, and honest competition, along with the development of thought, are as demanded as they were during our people's life in the 20th century.

And on this festive day, I wish us all that through joint efforts, we will be able to restore the former glory of Yerevan State University, restore its former greatness, and this should be expressed in tangible outcomes. I have stated, and I want to reiterate, that both the higher education system in general and Yerevan State University in particular must become the most crucial expert foundation for all of Armenia’s governments.

And I want to articulate the issue of the internationalization of Yerevan State University, which should become a university that has a lot to offer to the world and is also open to taking innovative ideas from the world, thus ensuring the further development of our educational system based on these ideas. I want to define a specific goal: I believe that Yerevan State University should aim to be ranked within the top 500 of the world’s strongest universities in the coming 10 years.

This is a goal for which we all must unite and combine our efforts to make Yerevan State University once again the leading force of thought, ideas, and creativity in Armenia.

Dear attendees, once again, I congratulate us all on the occasion of Yerevan State University’s 100th anniversary and wish that the next 100 years be a time of ascension, strengthening, intellectual thought, and continuous victories for the university. May those who will speak from this podium and those sitting in this auditorium in 100 years to come define the legacy.

Thank you!"

In September 2019, formal events began to mark the 100th anniversary of Yerevan State University. On September 26, a ceremonial session of the university's scientific council was held during which gold medals were awarded to faculty members and students who have made significant contributions to the university's development.